Scots mountain groups working on government submission for re-opening hills

The groups are looking at a responsible re-opening of Scotland's mountains. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Mountaineering Scotland said it is leading discussions about how people may be able to return to the hills in a phased way.

It has produced, with other outdoor organisations, proposals for a responsible re-opening of the nation’s mountains.

At present, advice for outdoor enthusiasts north of the border is to continue exercising locally.

Unlike England, where people can now travel to locations to exercise, regulations in Scotland prevent this. Earlier this week, rules were relaxed slightly to allow unlimited outings for exercise per day.

In the meantime, the organisation, which represents hillwalkers, climbers, mountaineers and ski-tourers north of the border, said outdoor enthusiasts should ‘hold the line’ and avoid travel for their exercise.

A spokesperson for Mountaineering Scotland said: “Walkers and climbers are keen to get back out to the hills and crags, and Mountaineering Scotland is leading discussions with partners in the Mountain Safety Group on how to deliver a phased return to the hills and mountains.

“This group of key mountain safety organisations, including Scottish Mountain Rescue, Police Scotland, Mountain Training Scotland, Glenmore Lodge and the Association of Mountaineering Instructors, has developed proposals this week which are being submitted to the Scottish Government outlining how mountaineering activities such as hillwalking, climbing and bouldering can be re-introduced.”

Damon Powell, chair of Scottish Mountain Rescue said: “It is good to be working as part of the Mountain Safety Group, to ensure we can get people back out into the outdoors undertaking their preferred activities as soon as there is a safe and responsible way to do so within the Scottish Government guidelines.

“We hope to see everyone out there soon, but preferably not on a rescue.”

George McEwan chief officer of Mountain Training Scotland added: “Prior to lockdown, our leaders, instructors, coaches and guides supported active public participation, both voluntarily and professionally, in walking, climbing and mountaineering, which does so much to support improved health and wellbeing.

“As we look forward to reactivation, we are supporting the work of Mountaineering Scotland and the rest of the Mountain Safety Group, to facilitate a phased return to the outdoors which is both safe and socially responsible.”

Mountaineering Scotland said it has also taken on board feedback from its members and discussions with organisations across the Scottish outdoor sector, including sportscotland, outdoor sport governing bodies and the national parks, to allow people to enjoy Scotland’s outdoors in a way that considers the safety of individuals as well as rural communities.

Work is continuing to produce a position statement and more detailed supporting guidance, it said.

“These are unprecedented times” said Stuart Younie, chief executive of Mountaineering Scotland, “and I’d like to thank members for keeping to the current guidelines. We know it’s been a challenge but it’s great to see the mountaineering community pulling together in this way.

“We want to see an immediate return to hillwalking, climbing and other outdoor activities as lockdown starts to ease, and have been encouraged by the way the outdoor sector in Scotland is working together to make this happen in a safe and responsible way.”

Steuart

Of course individuals and interested groups will be welcome to make comment. These organisations are all recognise for their individual knowledge and expertise in the outdoors.

James

17 May 2020

Steuart, yes that's what I'm doing, 'making comment'.

Individuals are able to listen to government advice/guidance and act sensibly, without the need for the above organisations to think and plan for them.

Greg

17 May 2020

These goverment grant funded bodies have no jurisdiction on who can and who cannot access land in Scotland. These bodies have of course taken the Queens shilling and now feel obliged to make out they are in charge. Scots have the right to roam and are only currently restrainded by the scottish goverment. we do not need a corporate box ticking excercise by so called representative groups (who do not represent everybody and were definately not elected to represent everybody) trying to out do each other for top spot

Margaret

17 May 2020

Interesting points Greg.

Neil

17 May 2020

These organisations including the MCofS do represent the interests of all mountain users in interactions with the government. That is a simple fact, but not liked by many.
To get a quicker opening up of the hills, I am glad they are working on this. Someone above is right that ‘we have the right to go there’, as a result of them working in the Land Reform Act all those years ago & likewise just now, easing the current ‘restrictions’!

Steuart

17 May 2020

I don't think any of these organisations have ever claimed to be 'guardians' of the outdoors. They are just trying to find a sensible way of agreeing a compromise to get people back into the outdoors in a safe manner as soon as possible. Would James happen to have any suggestions of his own?

James

18 May 2020

Steuart - my suggestion, much as I wrote above, is that individuals are able to follow government advice, guidance and regulations, mainly on travel, then act on that, without a third party involvement.

"I don't think any of these organisations have ever claimed to be 'guardians' of the outdoors."

It was those organisations that claimed to have 'closed the hills'.

without the need for the above organisations to think and plan for them.

Steuart

18 May 2020

Not sure I remember any of them closing the hills either. They seem to be mainly concerned with safety in the mountain environment not necessarily the roads leading to them? You should contact them directly to see what their plans are. My experience of Mountaineering Scotland is they are very open.

james

18 May 2020

I'm sure Mountaineering Scotland are very open and if I needed advice regarding hillwalking and mountaineering I might contact them.

But as I said earlier, (nothing to do with safety on the roads) 'individuals are able to follow government advice, guidance and regulations, mainly on staying local and not to travel, then act on that without third party involvement.'

If those organisations feel they need to comment, then all that's required is, 'please follow government regulations and advice.'

Thanks for the chat Steuart, got to go.

Margaret

18 May 2020

"Mountaineering Scotland with other organisations proposals for a responsible re-opening of the nation’s mountains."

If the mountains haven't been closed why is it necessary to have them opened?

Storm

19 May 2020

I am not a member of any of these organisations, but I'm
sure there heart is in the right place.

Anonymous

19 May 2020

The point of these groups working together is to establish how Mountain rescue, if needed, can feasibly rescue a casualty whilst maintaining social distance regulations. I am sure no one here wishes to put members of the MRT and their families at risk just because they feel it's their right to roam across the hills. Everyone including MRT personal will be desperate to get back on the hills. However it is impossible to carry a stretcher down steep hills and tracks whilst everyone keeps 2 metres apart. Therefore carefully consideration and planning has to be done to ensure the safety of MRT from possible infection from a casualty during a rescue.
Enjoy the hills when it's safe for everyone !!

The Hillwalker

19 May 2020

I think the point that is being missed here is, if someone unfortunately needs the service of the Mountain Rescue Teams how is that possible given the social distance requirements. Therefore plans have to be thought through in order to ensure the safety of MRT and subsequently their families. This is why a multi-stakeholder review needs to take place. Having the right to roam does not surely mean the right to risk the health of others simply because you want to go hillwalking.
Everyone and i'm sure MRT personal are desperate to get back on the hill however not at the needless risk of their health. Not everyone can self-rescue !
Please be understanding of the bigger picture and stay off the hills until is safe for you and those who may need to come and rescue you.

Hillwaker

19 May 2020

I think the point that is being missed here is, if someone unfortunately needs the service of the Mountain Rescue Teams how is that possible given the social distance requirements. Therefore plans have to be thought through in order to ensure the safety of MRT and subsequently their families. This is why a multi-stakeholder review needs to take place. Having the right to roam does not surely mean the right to risk the health of others simply because you want to go hillwalking.
Everyone and i'm sure MRT personal are desperate to get back on the hill however not at the needless risk of their health. Not everyone can self-rescue !
Please be understanding of the bigger picture and stay off the hills until is safe for you and those who may need to come and rescue you.

Margaret

20 May 2020

I think the 'point being missed' is, as James said,

"If those organisations feel they need to comment, then all that's required is, 'please follow government regulations and advice."

When that government advice/regulations allows travel then 'the hills will be open.'

Keith

22 May 2020

ScotGov now say that golfing and angling are ok, but hillwalking is not, and won't be for weeks yet, despite being as socially-distanced as you get. Good job, Mountaineering Scotland, really well done ...

Margaret

23 May 2020

The new regulations say that 'hiking' will be allowed, but you can't travel more than 5 miles from your home.

"Outdoor activities in the local area - such as golf, hiking, canoeing, outdoor swimming, angling." Scottish Government

Marion Boyle

23 May 2020

Latest statement from Scottish Golf - "the travel advice is for an individual to apply good judgement" rather than sticking to the 5 miles - apparently a lot of golfers think they should be able to travel farther than 5 miles as many golf clubs are in rural locations. Same applies to hills - not many Munros within city limits - but from what I've heard, hillwalkers seem prepared to wait for a while yet although the conditions over the last couple of months mean that they're missing the hills desperately.

Steuart

25 May 2020

James the story is that the Scottish mountain safety group have presented the Scottish government with proposals to help get people back into the hills safely. It is for the Scottish government to decide if these proposals are helpful in achieving this. The smsg state here that their advice is to follow SG guidelines. Where you get these organisations claiming to be guardians of the outdoors or having closed the mountains (how do you close a mountain anyway?) I do not know? Like it or not the views of these organisations is often sought when decisions of many kinds regarding the outdoors are being made. You are welcome to look at their websites if you choose.

Margaret

26 May 2020

Steuart - "(how do you close mountains anyway)"

Agreed, but why then do they need opening . . . ?

"It (Mountaineering Scotland) has produced, with other outdoor organisations, proposals for a responsible re-opening of the nation’s mountains."

" . . . outlining how mountaineering activities such as hillwalking, climbing and bouldering can be re-introduced.”

“As we look forward to reactivation."

Steuart

28 May 2020

Margaret, I think if you read the piece you'll find it was the producers of this article and none of the bodies mention that use the expression re-opening. Happy to help!

Margaret

28 May 2020

Steuart, once again correct, but a bit of a semantic point, as the essence of what the bodies mentioned are saying is 're-opening'.

It's a word the editor Bob Smith appears to be happy to use, based on what those bodies have said.

Steuart

03 June 2020

Strange Margaret, Mountaineering Scotland speak of easing lockdown restrictions not closing or reopening. Hardly semantics. If you lived very locally, it's quite possible that a person may not be breaking any lockdown restrictions by walking in the hills and the mountain would not be 'closed' to you.

Margaret

03 June 2020

As the kids say - whatever!

Noticed you're getting a bit of stick in another grough story today.

John Collins

03 June 2020

Me thinks Steuart is only on here to try to stir things up and let everyone know how annoying he is. I guess he's succeeding at the latter.

Steuart

04 June 2020

John if you think I have said anything that is not factual please tell us all. That I have perhaps says more about otherswho are challenged by this.

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